Adding New Streetlights

The City of Tacoma is taking proactive steps to improve safety in neighborhoods by adding new streetlights in areas with inadequate lighting. The cost of installation varies based on existing infrastructure, with significant differences between scenarios where overhead power lines are present versus those without. In total, the City has identified 3,870 dark street segments that could benefit from lighting, employing a systematic scoring methodology that considers factors such as nighttime accident history and crime rates. This approach also incorporates the Equity Index to ensure fair access to lighting improvements across the community. Despite the installation of 82 new streetlights in 2019/20, the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With recent City Council approval, an additional 200 streetlights will be installed on existing utility poles in the upcoming biennium. This initiative underscores the City's commitment to enhancing public safety and community well-being. The focus on equitable resource allocation positions Tacoma as a leader in municipal infrastructure improvements.